Enatur picked his ear with his pinky finger. Zack didn't notice; Enatur quietly created a space. They were all inside the space he had created.
Shadow bared his fangs in front of Zack.
"Even though we're from the same family, I've never considered you my family," said Enatur.
Enatur's gaze sharpened. "I already know what happened in the past, so you'd better not interfere with our lives."
Zack chuckled. "Unfortunately, that'll never happen—your grandfather wants to meet you."
"I never had a grandfather like him!" Enatur's tone was cold.
Zack closed his eyes, a smirk on his lips. "A kid like you probably needs to be disciplined first."
Zack opened his eyes; without realizing it, Enatur and the others had vanished before him. Zack opened his mouth slightly, his pupils contracting.
"Since when did that kid disappear?"
Zack exhaled. Slowly, the space eroded, transforming into shards of glass dissolving into the air.
"Space? This kid can control space?" his tone was surprised.
He stroked his chin, smiling. "What an interesting kid!"
---
A vast forest stood tall, with blue-horned rabbits, deer with colorful antlers, and several other strange animals roaming through the dense woods.
The portal opened. Enatur and Shadow stepped out.
Shadow let out a long sigh. "Thank goodness we managed to escape that weirdo."
Enatur chuckled. "Hahaha... that guy didn't realize I'd set up a portal."
---
Flashback:
Zack closed his eyes, a smirk on his lips.
Enatur reached out his hand and clenched his fist. Instantly, time in the space stopped.
Shadow looked at Zack in front of him. "Why is this guy just standing there?"
"That's because I stopped time." Then Enatur opened the portal. "Let's just leave this guy behind!"
They stepped into the portal, and it closed again.
---
Present day...
Rein immediately turned to Enatur. "You're amazing, Master—able to stop time."
Enatur nodded, his hands behind his neck. "Of course I can—have you forgotten whose son I am?" he grinned.
"Being a god sounds pretty cool!" said Rein, intrigued.
"Haha... that's right!" They walked slowly through the forest. "Even though I can, I still have my limits. Four seconds is the maximum time I can stop."
"Does that mean Miss Yunia can do it without any time limit?" Rein asked.
"Hm, that's right. Isn't that amazing?!"
"That's a terrifying Authority—Time and Space," Shadow remarked.
Enatur pursed his lips. "I'm slowly beginning to understand its function when used at the right time and in the right situation."
"KYAA!"
A woman's scream echoed through the forest, startling them. A flock of birds took flight.
"It seems someone is in danger." Shadow sniffed. "The scent of a human—over here!"
Shadow ran after the scent of a person. Enatur and Rein followed behind him.
A man was being threatened by an abnormally large wild boar. The boar's eyes were a deep, intense red, staring at the adventurer before it.
"S-stop!" he whispered, filled with fear. His hand trembled as he raised his sword toward the wild boar.
The man's body was leaning against a tree; his leg was broken, covered in wounds, and drenched in blood. His two teammates suffered the same injuries and were unconscious.
The wild boar charged forward, baring its large, long tusks. Enatur and Shadow leaped.
Shadow pulled his hand back and clenched it into a fist. His fist was encased in ice. He thrust his hand forward with all his might, veins bulging in his arm muscles.
"HIYAA... Icy Punch!" The icy fist, like a glove, struck the boar's head, shattering its skull. Blood splattered onto the ground.
Enatur approached the male adventurer. He wore full silver armor, had short mocha-colored hair, and black eyes.
"Are you okay?" Enatur asked.
"I'm so grateful you saved me... but, p-please help my teammates first. Their injuries are worse."
Enatur nodded. "Leave it to me."
The male adventurer was unconscious, his head leaning against a tree. Enatur opened a fairly large storage space on the ground.
Slowly, the space lifted, revealing the trailer house they had previously been using. At the same time, Enatur raised his hand, and a cube-shaped protective barrier slowly formed.
"Shadow, lift these three people inside; I'll check their injuries." Said Enatur.
Shadow nodded. "Leave it to me."
Enatur opened the storage space, took out medical supplies from a large bag, and put on medical scrubs.
---
Day turned to night.
Shadow, Rein, and Enatur sat by the campfire. Shadow and Enatur were enjoying some roasted wild boar meat.
"Are they still unconscious?" Shadow asked.
"Their injuries are quite severe, but I've already treated them."
"I-I'm sorry to interrupt," said a woman from the direction of the trailer house.
Enatur turned to the woman with long black hair and brown eyes. Her outfit was typical of a mage. The woman stepped out of the trailer.
"Ah, you're awake? I've prepared some drinking water. Have a drink first; your body must be dehydrated after sleeping for hours."
"Thank you for saving us." She bowed. "I've already had a drink; the water is so refreshing."
Enatur greeted her. "Then join us; I've prepared some delicious meat for you all."
Her face flushed, and she smiled. "Sorry for the trouble."
The woman sat down with them, enjoying the grilled meat. "My name is Rannie, a mage. Nice to meet you!"
"My name is Enatur, nice to meet you too."
"My name is Shadow."
Rannie looked at Shadow. "Can dogs talk?" she asked in surprise.
"My name is Rein, nice to meet you!"
Rannie was surprised again, her voice rising. "Can a ball talk?"
A few moments later...
Shadow asked. "Are you guys on an mission?"
Rannie nodded. "That's right, but the monsters were stronger than we expected. The result… well, you see!" Her eyes trembled.
"Being an adventurer is tough," said Rein.
"Y-yeah… but this way, we can keep living," said Rannie.
"Ra-Rannie, where are you?" a man's voice shouted.
---
"Thank you for saving us!" said the man with mocha-colored hair.
"Thank you so much!" said a man with short blond hair and blue eyes. He was wearing the typical outfit of a sage.
Enatur put his hands on his hips. "Take it easy; just focus on getting better."
"My name is Rogue, a swordman. Nice to meet you."
"My name is Sidh, a sage. Nice to meet you."
They introduced themselves. Sidh and Rogue sat on their respective beds. Rannie handed a plate of grilled meat to her teammates.
---
The clouds parted, giving way to the full moon illuminating the night. A horned owl hooted, breaking the silence.
"Huh?" Sidh shouted. "The Wild Boar King was killed with just one hit?"
Enatur chuckled. "Hahaha... my partner's amazing, isn't he?"
"Truly amazing!" Rannie's eyes sparkled.
"Are you adventurers from the Kingdom of Emeraldia?" Rein asked.
"Emeraldia? That's on the other continent. An enemy of our kingdom," said Rogue.
Enatur stroked his chin. "Is that so?!"
"Turns out I traveled quite far using a Portal Space. A portal is a space for moving from one region to another within a single planet. I rarely use it because it's too risky to use on Earth-07, where I live."
Enatur lifted his head. "Can you take me to your kingdom?"
Rogue narrowed his eyes. "What is an Emeraldian doing in our territory?"
"It seems you've misunderstood; I'm not from there." Enatur folded his arms. "More accurately, we're not from this world."
Rogue and his teammates lips trembled, their skin paled.
Rein floated closer and whispered. "Master, don't reveal your identity. Humans aren't as simple as you think!"
Enatur nodded at Rein. "That's all the information you have about us. Just consider this a favor in return for me saving you."
Rogue smiled and closed his eyes. "Alright, we'll gladly escort you."
"Rest for now. Once you've recovered, we can head home. We've left the monster's head for you to take home."
Rogue nodded. "Thank you very much, Enatur."
---
Two days had passed, and the sunlight bathed the peaceful morning. The Rogue Party had fully recovered.
Together, they set off for the kingdom they were to visit by horse-drawn carriage. The carriage was made of teak wood, and the passenger seats were padded with foam.
Sidh peered outside. "The city of Shenlia is already in sight!"
From afar, a white-painted palace towered high; its gate fortress was made of sturdy gray steel, with guards patrolling atop it.
Shadow shifted into puppy mode, sitting on Enatur's lap.
"Everyone, welcome to the capital of the Kingdom of Avva, Shenlia," said Rogue.
The carriage stopped in front of the gate. Rogue's party guided them through the gate. Enatur and the others were quite shocked; their eyes and mouths trembled.
"This kingdom—how could it build such tall buildings, like a city in a Type-1 human civilization?" Enatur narrowed his eyes and rested his chin on his hand. His face showed a look of deep confusion.
"Even though Type-2 humans have the advantage of using magic, their technology has barely developed. Their average IQ is between 30 and 60… how is that possible?"
Although there were no vehicles, the sidewalk they walked on was made of fairly sturdy asphalt. Many residents went about their activities, dressed in modern casual outfits.
"We're going to hand over the head of the Forest Boar King—do you want to come see the adventurers' guild?" Sidh asked.
They walked together; Enatur approached Rogue.
"Mr. Rogue, I want to ask you something!" He whispered.
"I know what you want to ask," Rogue said.
Their pace slowed; Rogue walked beside Enatur.
"From the look on your expression, it's already very clear—and there's no need to explain where you're from."
Enatur startled and furrowed his brow.
Rogue looked at Enatur. "My father is a reincarnator from another world!" he whispered.
Enatur's eyes widened instantly, trembling.